Review - Dream Theater: A Dramatic Turn of Events

In my opinion, it’s just not as better as Images & Words, Awake and Metropolis Pt2 are. In other words, this is awesome! I think, perhaps the fact that Mike Portnoy left the band unleashed the all the creativity long time stuck in the throat on every DT musician. There are several MP interviews stating that every DT work was made to please the fans, and dedicated to them. Honestly, I believe this is one of the reasons why the lasts DT albums were so controversial. I mean, can anyone here tell 3 great songs from each of Octavarium, Systematic Chaos and Black Clouds & Silver Linings? And what about those nu metal stuff and guttural vocals on previous albums? Well, I’m not against these kind of stuff, you can find these elements on James LaBrie solo jobs. Tne thing is, James’s solo works are a drop on the ocean when compared to DT (despite, they sound great, as previously posted on this blog). My point is, perhaps MP has given a commercial path seeking to enlarge DT’s fan base. Curious thing is that when he’s absent, Dream Theater simply made an sensational album, back to their origins, kinda reminding the great Images & Words.

Again: I got nothing against evolution, and new music tendencies. For me (a great DT fan), I felt like DT was losing their identity with their lasts albums (like Metallica’s Load, Reload, and St. Anger: despite these records, they’ll always be remembered as true metal monsters thanks to their work from Kill’em All to the Black Album). But, I think A Dramatic Turn Of Events can put DT back on track as the great prog-metal band ever, and this album is in my Top 5 DT Best Albums.

As regards Mike Mangini: Just watch the drum audition. This is by far, the most well-prepared, the most willing, the most “I wanna be part of this” guy. He deserved the spot. Someone who appers on a TV show (Super Camera), demonstrating all his drumming skills doesn’t need to proof his quality.

Well, let’s talk about the album: Overall, a great album! Creativity and technical skills are impeccable. Great solos, mind blowing tempo and compass variations, DT style. Melodies and lyrics show a great maturity.

1.        On The Backs of Angels: Good! First single released, it gives us a taste of what to expect. This song is not that great hit, but it certainly grab our attention.

2.       Build Me Up, Break Me Down: Didn’t like it. Heavy and dirty, unoying riff. Reminds me all that stuff I’ve just commented...

3.       Lost Not Forgotten: Great! Technical masturbation until the 2nd min and musical exercises to the end. “Betcha you can play this” kinda song!

4.       This is The Life: Ok. A ballad that you can hear once maybe twice…

5.       Bridges In The Sky: Awesome! Heavy riffs, you can hear the bass bombing in the subs! Sensational solos, Bass, Keys, guitar and drums alternately syncronized. Great!

6.       Outcry: Awesome! One of my favorites. Rhythmic melody, and what to say about this crazy solo?!?

7.       Far From Heaven: Awesome! After 20 min exploding your ears, a great way to have a little rest.

8.       Breaking All Illusions: Awesome! My favorite! After a little rest due to the previous song, here comes a great one. Awesome entrance riff, great tempo/compass variations, and a remarkable chorus. The album could be ended on this song, and it would be perfect! I wonder how would it be a concert endind with this song... Absolutely great!

9.       Beneath The Surface: Great! Great ballad. If would it play on radio, I think there’d a chance for a hit.

(Breaking All Illusions - dunno for how long this will be available...)

And that all. Really enjoyed this album. Great 2011 release. Until now, for me, the best of the year so far. Congratulations for the great álbum. As far as I can see, the reception to this album is very encouraging.

Cheers!

Ed

Na minha opinião, este disco só não é melhor que Images & Words, Awake e Metropolis Pt2. Ou seja, é muito bom! Entendo que a saída do MP meio que desacorrentou a liberdade de criação e composição dos músicos da banda. Em várias entrevistas é possível ler as declarações de MP dizendo que todo o trabalho do Dt era dedicado aos fãs. Mas sinceramente, a legião dos verdadeiros fãs de DT é um pouco mais, digamos, musicalmente técnica. E os rumos que o DT escolheu nos seus últimos discos são um tanto quanto controversos. Sejamos sinceros, mas quem é que se lembra de mais de 3 músicas de Octavarium, Systematic Chaos, Black Clouds & Silver Linings por exemplo? E outro: o que são aquelas passagens meio nu metal, vocais guturais como por exemplo em 6 degrees? Nada contra, mesmo porque vocais guturais podem ser encontrados em trabalhos solos de James LaBrie. Acontece que o trabalho solo de James não chega nem perto da dimensão do sucesso do DT (apesar de serem ótimos trabalhos, como postado anteriormente no blog). Meu ponto aqui é que MP talvez tenha dado um direcionamento comercial buscando ampliar a base de fãs. Curioso é que em sua ausência, a banda simplesmente criou um disco mais voltado às suas origens, de certa maneira lembrando Images & Words, o que pra mim foi simplesmente sensacional!

Mais uma vez, nada contra evoluir ou modificar o estilo de som. O fato é que talvez, para este fã que vos escreve, a banda perdia muito em identidade (como o Metallica ao lançar Load, Reload e St. Anger: apesar de tudo, eles sempre vão ser lembrados como verdadeiros monstros do metal pelos discos até o Black Album, o resto é história). Diferentemente, acredito que A Dramatic Turn of Events pode sim entrar na lista dos top 5 Melhores Albuns do Dream Theater.

Sobre Mike Mangini: Basta ver os testes pra baterista. Era o cara mais preparado, o cara com mais vontade, com mais desejo de fazer parte da banda. Mais que merecido. Um nego que aparece no Discovery Channel pra mostrar a habilidade na bateria não precisa provar nada a ninguém.

1.       On The Backs of Angels: Boa! O primeiro single liberado deste álbum já mostrou um pouco do que estaria por vir. Não é aquela música que te deixa extremamente cativado, mas tenho certeza que prendeu a atenção dos fãs.

Sobre o álbum: No geral muito bom! Criatividade e técnica impecáveis nos solos. Grandes variações de compassos, bem estilo Dream Theater. Arranjos e composições maduras e de muito bom gosto.

2.       Build Me Up, Break Me Down: Não gostei. Som pesado, sujo, e um riff enjoativo. Lembra as inovações malucas que acabei de criticar acima...

3.       Lost Not Forgotten: Mto boa! Masturbação técnica aos 2 min de música e exercícios musicais até o fim. Definitivamente uma música que deveria entrar pra sessão “Betcha you can play this”

4.       This is The Life: Ok. Baladinha que é legal de ouvir a primeira vez. A segunda vez já enjoa.

5.       Bridges In The Sky: Mto bom! Riffs pesados, dá pra ouvir o baixo estalando nos subs! Solo sensacional, marcação alternada de baixo, teclado, guitarra e bateria. Mto bom!

6.       Outcry: Ótima! Uma das minhas favoritas. Melodia cadenciada, e o que falar do solo desta música?!?

7.       Far From Heaven: Ótima! Depois de 20 min de porrada na orelha, uma ótima balada.

8.       Breaking All Illusions: Ótima! Minha favorita do álbum! Depois de descansar os ouvidos por algum momento na música anterior, vem esta ótima música. Riff de entrada sensacional, grandes variações de ritmo, e um refrão marcante. O disco poderia terminar com esta canção que já estaria ótimo! Imagino que os shows irão terminar com esta música...

9.       Beneath The Surface: Mto bom! Bela balada. Se tocasse nas rádios, faria sucesso.

E é isso. Gostei bastante e até onde tenho visto, a crítica pareceu ser bem receptiva. Um dos melhores lançamentos do ano, com certeza! Pra mim, o melhor de 2011 até o momento.

Abs,

Ed

Review - Dr. Sin: Animal

In one word: Animal! Congrats to the band for made such a killer abum! It’s in the same level of Bravo (released in 2007).

15 songs of pure joy in 1 hour, from the beginning to the end. The band keeps their loyalty to the hard/heavy/rock&roll traditional style since their birth. In addition, the extraordinary touch of virtuosity is also present here on Animal. My first impressions were that I was listening to some metal album from de 80’s or early 90’s. Despite the bluesy song called “Drifter”. Anyway, it’s not that this is a bad thing, on the contrary, it’s a great feeling. The current heavy metal scene is so confusing, very different styles, everyone is trying to innovate, creating lousy music, and only a very few bands achieved some success on this. Meanwhile, given this context, the steroid boosted cookies and milk from Dr Sin gain even more highlight. For those who just want to hear a good rock & roll, Animal is a great recommendation.

There’s no need to comment the band’s impressive virtuosity. They’re one of the greatest and most respected heavy metal bands in Brazil, although unfairly under-recognized. That being said, it’s worth to listen to the band’s work. In my opinion, In many song I felt like attending to a great jam session. Fast songs, ballad songs, heavy songs, fast songs, not-so-heavy, not-so-heavy songs, you can find it all. Truly mind-blowing!  

Highlights for:

- Complicated…. I’m spending sometime here to choose some songs, but the fact is that this is such a great album, I can’t decide which ones. Anyway, I’d say that my favorite ones are: “Those Days” (absolutely fantastic!!!), “The King” (crystal clear total Ronnie James Dio tribute), “Animal”, “Heroes”, “Faster than a Bullet”, and “May the Force Be With You”.

Negatives:

- R2D2 “singing” on “May the Force Be With You”. And the “Pray for Tomorrow ballad” (despite the beautiful chorus and Eduardo Ardanuy’s guitar solo). Ah, what the hell, this song is not that bad anyway….

Bottom line: One of 2011’s best albums so far. At least the best heavy metal release in Brazil.

Hope you enjoy.

Cheers!

Ed 

O álbum é simplesmente ANIMAL!!! Parabéns à banda por terem lançado um disco tão bom! Diria que está no mesmo nível do ótimo Bravo (lançado em 2007).

15 músicas em 1 hora de pura diversão, do início ao fim. A banda mantém a fidelidade ao seu estilo hard & heavy & puro e simples rock & roll desde suas origens com o extraordinário toque de virtuosismo de seus integrantes. Em Animal, tenho a impressão de que estou ouvindo algum álbum dos anos 80/90. Não que seja ruim, muito pelo contrário. O cenário metal atual é muito disperso, muitas bandas tentando inovar, e poucas obtém algum sucesso neste lance de inventar demais.  Enquanto isso, o altamente vitaminado feijão com arroz do Dr. Sin se destaca cada vez mais. Aqueles que querem ouvir um bom rock & roll, Animal é uma boa recomendação.

Não vou falar em obviedades a respeito da qualidade técnica da banda (que é simplesmente inquestionável). Entretanto, não posso deixar de comentar os mais diversos trechos de várias músicas deste álbum que soam como uma belíssima Jam session da banda. Sem contar vários riffs pesados que até agora ecoam na minha cabeça.

Na minha opinião eis os destaques:

- Complicado...  Estou pensando em algumas músicas pra escolher, mas achei o disco tão legal que não consigo selecionar algumas. Enfim, eu diria que minhas favoritas são “Those Days” (sensacional!!!), “The King” (clara referência ao Dio), “Animal”, “Heroes”, “Faster than a Bullet”, e “May the Force Be With You”.

Pontos negativos:

- R2D2 “cantando” em “May the Force Be With You”. E a balada “Pray for Tomorrow” (apesar do belo refrão e do solo do Edu). É pensando bem, nem é tão ruim esta música, enfim.

Na minha opinião, um dos melhores discos do ano! Certamente, o melhor do ano no cenário nacional por enquanto.

Abraços

Ed

Concert Review - X Japan 2011

Historical evening in Sao Paulo!

One of the heavy metal’s greatest icons came to Sao Paulo for a single and long time waited concert. The Brazilian fans wil remember this historical evening for sure.

HSBC Hall was fully crowded, and as long as I know, the best house spots were sold out. Sensational vibe coming from the fans, it’s undeniable that this particular 09/11 will remain for a long time in our hearts. Despite the event’s producer lack of organization, and by the late and lame sound check and gear tests, we must celebrate the simple fact that X Japan came to Brazil. Through the corridors, it could be noticed a complete miscellaneous audience: children, elderly, foreign people (non Brazilian) and obviously, the massive presence of headbangers.

In my opinion, the concert highlights:

-         -  X!!! Total madness great vibe! Very intense energy! Everybody doin’ the X-Jump! Reminds me Manowar concerts, arms raised for most of the people. Impressive! And what ‘bout everyone singing together Endless Rain and Forever Love??!? Usually, the only 5 japanese words people know are: sushi, sashimi, arigato, sayonara and the most difficult one, shoyu,.. Not! Everybody was singing in Japanese. What a surreal scene!

-          - Sugizo’s stage presence. Impressive. A true showman! Very stylish!

-          - Toshi’s vocals. Very powerful voice, fantastic! This dude can sing live, studio, and his voice looks absolutely the same!

-          - Yoshiki’s crowd surfing. Crazybtchmtfcka!

And the negatives:

-          - Something was seriously weird with the sound. There was a roadie on stage during a long period as long the concert was ongoing. He was actually setting all the samplers and playing base guitar! Strange…. Somehow, I felt there was some discomfort among the band musicians…

-          - Poor setlist. I mean, it was too short. I was expecting for Week End, Blue Blood, Sadistic Desire, at least.

But that’s ok. It was an evening that will stay in our hearts, in our memories. Hope they’ll come back someday, planning to play much more songs this time.

Long live X-Japan!

We are X!

Ed

X-Japan - X (1993.12.30 Tokyo Dome)

Noite histórica em São Paulo!

Um dos maiores expoentes do heavy metal mundial passou pela capital paulista para única e há muito tempo aguardada apresentação. Certamente os fãs brasileiros lembrarão eternamente deste momento histórico.

Casa lotada, público com uma vibe sensacional, não há como negar que a apresentação deste histórico 11/09 será inesquecível. Apesar dos contratempos como a falta de organização da produtora (atraso na abertura da casa), e sobretudo do impressionante descaso na parte técnica quanto a checagem de som, o fato do X ter comparecido ao Brasil já é algo a se comemorar. Pelos corredores era possível notar a presença de um público extremamente variado: crianças, idosos, estrangeiros, e obviamente a presença maciça de headbangers.

Em minha opinião, os pontos altos do show foram:

- X!!! A vibe do público ensandecido  fazendo o X-jump me faz lembrar os shows do Manowar, a galera toda com os braços erguidos ... Sensacional! E os nego cantando Endless Rain e Forever Love?!?! Geralmente todo mundo acha que de japonês só se sabem 5 palavras: sushi, sashimi, arigato, sayonara e shoyu... Que nada! O povo cantou em peso!!!

- Presença de palco de Sugizo. Impressionante, showman total. Muito estilo!

- A potência vocal de Toshi. Fantástico! A voz deste cara é igual ao vivo, em estúdio, em qquer lugar!

- Crowd surf do Yoshiki. Cara doido mutcho loco crazybitchatmtfcka!

E os pontos negativos:

- Tinha algo seriamente esquisito com o som. Tinha um roadie no palco mandando a ver nos samplers e empunhando uma guitarra! Mto esquisito. De alguma maneira, senti que havia um certo desconforto da banda com relação a isso...

- Setlist mto mto mto curto. Tava esperando um Week End , Blue Blood, Sadistic Desire…

Uma noite para ficar em nossas memórias, definitivamente. Espero que eles voltem novamente, e desta vez com um setlist mais extenso.

Long live X Japan!

We are X!!

TOP 10... + 5 Drummers

After a long winter, I am back to postings and for this post I will re-write the Gibson’s Top 10 Drummers, based on my preferences. Gibson’s list sounds quite pop and a little awkward when they put Dave Growl as the Top 4 drummer. I respect the choice but my evil side makes me believe that Anne Erikson (the author) had a diarrhea during that decision. Even in a generalist list (I forgot to mention that my list is of course about Heavy Metal drummers) I would mention Dave Grohl. Well, it is time to make my list of drummers but to be fair, I will add 5 more drummers to the Top 10.

So, it is going to be Top 10+5!

15. Clive Burr (IRON MAIDEN)

The most important drummer in conception of NWOBH… powerful style!

14. Lars Ulrich (METALLICA)

I am not a Metallica fan anymore but I can’t deny Lars is fundamental in Trash Metal history… Justice for All exposed the best of his technique.  

13. Scott Travis (JUDAS PRIEST)

“Faster than a bullet” and as louder as a thunderstorm…  Amazing Bass Drum…

12. Tim Alexander (PRIMUS)

An insane bass player requires an insane drummer to play along… Groove Drummer.  

11. Igor Cavalera (SEPULTURA)

What to say about Igor? One of a kind… it is almost impossible to believe that a Brazilian drummer have such recognition in Heavy Metal scene.

10. Carmine Apice (VANILLA FUDGE)

Carmine had an important part in development of Rock drumming… when feeling was more important than technique.  

9. Mikey Dee (MOTORHEAD)

An animal… but not Taylor! In my opinion Motorhead sound improved a lot with Dee.  Dee drums sound like a machine gun. Aggressive style!  

8. Nick Menza (MEGADETH)

Nick, Nick, Nick… Remember Mustaine in Black Sabbath’s tribute? That’s exactly what Nick sound seems to me. Unstoppable, pure stamina and astonishing Bass Drum.  

  

7. Scott Rokenfield (QUEENSRYCHE)

Scott is a reference in Heavy Prog style with others like Peart and Portnoy. He had historical part in prog drumming development.

  

6. Bill Ward (BLACK SABBATH)

The history himself… Heavy Metal drumming founder… his efforts and dedication to the style made his body pay the price. I consider him the wild force in metal.  

5. Ian Paice (DEEP PURPLE)

If Ward is the wild force in metal style Paice is the thinker. Not metal… Hard Rock he would say! Reference in style, Paice is pure feeling!

4. Dave Lombardo (SLAYER)

A Dave Lombardo’s drumclinic is almost a rape for your ears. I almost felt from the chair the first time I heard that he is Cuban… Amazing work in Slayer, Fantomas and Testament!

    

3. Cozy Powell (RAINBOW)

Cozy played with the finest musicians and for the crème de la crème of heavy metal bands. Check it out: Rainbow, Jeff Beck, ELP, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath, Whitesnake, Brian May and Malmsteen… If Portnoy and Peart didn’t exist Powell would certain be in Top 2.

2. Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER)

What an amazing drummer! Extremely talented. So much talent affected his sense of reality. I can’t understand what happened in his left of Dream Theater so far. But I still respect him a lot.  

1. Neal Peart (RUSH)

Genious, Legend, Myth… call him everything. There is no other for this position. Or concur in all lists. Peart is a mixture of everything and a reference for everyone. The all time best drummer… for ages.

That’s all folks!

Hail to Heavy Crew,

Stein 

Heavy Camerata Metal Overview – March 2011

March was fulfilled by news of the bigger bands, mistakes with masked rockstars and singers’ problems with the law. We also had Portnoy’s facts, another health problem with Tom Araya , Chinese Democracy selling for 1 dolar and a former vocalist with new plans. Check it out: 

  

ANOTHER CHAPTER IN PORTNOY’S FACTS

After his dismissal from Avenged Sevenfold, his unsuccessful trial to rejoin Dream Theater, his projects with a cover band of The Beatles, MP is working on the debut album from the new band featuring SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen and guitar Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP). Portnoy is also working on a separate project with guitarist Steve Morse (DEEP PURPLE, DIXIE DREGS). It seems that Mr. Portnoy’s been very busy lately. Hope that he get back on track soon.

TAMPA BAY MISTAKE WITH ACE FREHLEY

Wow, that’s what I call mistake. Tampa Bay Lightning hockey marketing team, to promote Ace's Frehley concert hung banners of him around the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida. That would be a good marketing plan. Lightining bolts and the spaceman costume… pretty easy to match. Then they realize that in the banner was the wrong spaceman. There wasn’t Ace but the substitute Tommy Thayer.

"We regret the mistake, and proper banners will be in place soon," said Lightning spokesman Bill Wickett.

Well, guess that concert must have been very interesting.

TONY MARTIN SUPERGROUP

Bassist Magnus Rosén(HAMMERFALL), guitarist Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND) and drummer Danny "Danté" Needham (VENOM, TONY MARTIN) are going to join forces with former Black Sabbath vocalist Tony Martin in a new all-star "supergroup." The band is currently working on music in Sweden as well as in England.

As a parameter Martin's last solo album, "Scream", was released in November 2005 viaMTM Music and it featured legendary drummer Cozy Powell (BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, WHITESNAKE) on the track "Raising Hell". I never heard his solo work but Tony Martin work in Black Sabbath was not that bad in my opinion. The worst phase of Sabbath indeed but is audible.

A photo of Martin, Rosén and La Rocque taken in late February in Sweden can be viewed below. Could someone please tell me where is Tony Martin in that photo?

ARAYA’S PROBLEM PT2

Cancelation of Slayer's appearance at the Sydney, Australia this time was caused by Araya’s new health complication: Vertigo. After a back surgery, legendary vocalist is suffering from vertigo due to extreme dehydration and lack of rest, according to his wife. Exams are being taken and we hope to see Araya in good shape soon.

As we informed in February review, Slayer is currently on the road without founding guitarist Jeff Hanneman, who underwent emergency surgery on his right arm in January after contracting a serious infection, possibly caused by a spider bite. Gary Holt is Hanneman's temporary replacement for the Soundwave festival.

PAUL DIANNO ARRESTED

Former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno was jailed after he falsely collected U.K. government benefits by claiming he suffered nerve damage to his back that prevented him from working. Very clever! According to Blabbermouth, he would serve at least four and a half months of the sentence behind bars before being released on conditional bail. Apparently Di'Anno was reportedly busted when investigators received an anonymous tip that he was still singing. They then found videos and pictures on internet of Di'Anno "energetically leaping around on stage, singing to fans around the world."

Di'Anno completed his first North American tour in early 2010, 17 years after he was deported following a prison term for guns and drug offenses.

Di'Anno states about his last experience in prison: "Prison was tough, but I'm tougher. I was nobody's bitch, put it that way. You've got to do it; otherwise people will walk all over you."

Guess that walking around with Di'Anno is a daily-learning.

GUN’S AND ROSES STUCK CDS

Well I have $1.99 in my pocket... should I buy a bubble gum or Chinese Democracy? Thought question. Best Buy, which was the exclusive U.S. retailer for Gun’s and Roses "Chinese Democracy", is offering the album via theBestBuy.com web site for just $1.99.

Best Buy paid $14 million for 1.6 million copies of the album, according toHits. But it sold just 614,000 copies in the U.S. so far, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Axl Rose has done no promotion of any kind for "Chinese Democracy" and took 15 years to 

release it.

UPCOMING CONCERTS AND TOURS

Heavy T.O. and Heavy MTL

Heavy MTL will be held July 23-24 at Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal, Quebec. The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

Saturday, July 23 (Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour)

DISTURBED

GODSMACK

BILLY TALENT

IN FLAMES

TRIVIUM

UNEARTH

KINDGOM OF SORROW

RED FANG

MACHINE HEAD

DIAMOND HEAD

SUICIDE SILENCE

ALL SHALL PERISH

STRAIGHT LINE STITCH

Sunday, July 24:

KISS

MOTÖRHEAD

OPETH

ANTHRAX

CHILDREN OF BODOM

AS I LAY DYING

THE SWORD

TIMES OF GRACE

DEVILDRIVER

Heavy T.O. will be held July 23-24 at Downsview Park in Toronto, Ontario. The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

Saturday, July 23:

MEGADETH

ANTHRAX

OPETH

MOTORHEAD

CHILDREN OF BODOM

AS I LAY DYING

THE SWORD

TIMES OF GRACE

DEVILDRIVER

Sunday, July 24:

ROB ZOMBIE

BILLY TALENT

SLAYER

MASTODON

TESTAMENT

DIAMOND HEAD

BAPTIZED IN BLOOD

ANVIL

MELISSA AUF DER MAUR

Once there is Diamond Head features in concerts, see bellow their video to remember good times of NWOBHM:

Review: Uriah Heep - Into the Wild

I think people who read our articles here may think that we are some kind of prog addicted due to the number of progressive bands we have reviewed so far. But no, we are not aficionados in prog metal and yes, heavy metal has recently released a lot of progressive bands. And the subject band of this review is not just another band in prog scene. It is Uriah Heep, the dinosaurs of prog metal!

I never understood they never had a huge success in US once they have a lot of references and characteristics in their music which reminds me of Deep Purple. And Deep Purple was a successful band there. Uriah Heep’s keyboards, their vocals and hypnotizing riffs… they have it all to make it. And it is, in my opinion, exactly because of this difficulty in US that put Uriah Heep in that segment of cult bands. No problem with that, most of the times it is better to be a cult band and do your job in a true manner instead of going with the flow. Uriah Heep also have an extensive career of almost 45 years and in 95% of band which last that long they had a lot of changes in their formation. Mick Box is the last original remaining member.    

Into the Wild is their 23^rd album and keeps alive that 70s metal flavor. I heard it 3 times and my perception is that it is a beautiful album but not spectacular. And my criteria to have that perception are comparison to their past discography. Not that I expected an album with 12 massive hits, but Uriah is a band that have elements to over attend our expectations.

And actually they attend it in songs like “I’m ready”, “Believe”, “Southern Star” and “Into the Wild”.  “I’m Ready” is a well structured song with a killing chorus, probably the best song in my opinion. “Believe” is a ballad with a positive message which has flavor of pop music but quite good to listen. “Southern Star” has the well-know backing vocals and nice guitar riff and base fingering. “Into The Wild” is a fast tempo song with an epic chorus which reminded me Gipsy, which is my all-time favorite song of Uriah Heep. A curious fact while I was listening is that more than once Bernie Shaw’s vocals reminded me Ian Gillan. Not all the time but they have a similar tone.

Bottom line: Uriah Heep job in Into the Wild was successful and the album worth a listen.

Hail to Heavy Crew,

Stein       

Acho que as pessoas que lêem nossos artigos aqui podem pensar que somos uma espécie de prog viciados devido ao número de bandas progressivas que nós analisamos até agora. Mas não, nós não somos aficionados em prog metal e sim, a cena heavy metal recentemente tem recebido lançamentos de um monte de bandas progressivas. E a banda analisada neste trabalho não é apenas mais uma banda de prog cena. A banda é simplesmente o Uriah Heep, os dinossauros do prog metal! 

Eu nunca entendi porque o Uriah nunca fez um grande sucesso nos Estados Unidos, uma vez que tem um monte de referências e características de sua música que me lembram do Deep Purple. E Deep Purple é uma banda de sucesso por lá. Os teclados do Uriah Heep, os vocais e riffs hipnotizantes... eles têm tudo para ser um sucesso por lá. E é, na minha opinião, exatamente por causa dessa dificuldade nos EUA que o Uriah Heep é colocado num segmento de bandas de cult. Nenhum problema com isso, na maioria das vezes é melhor ser uma banda de cult e fazer o seu trabalho de uma forma verdadeira em vez de seguir os modismos. Uriah Heep também tem uma extensa carreira de quase 45 anos e em 95% dos casos de bandas que duram muito tempo, eles tiveram também uma série de mudanças em sua formação. Mick Box é o último membro original remanescente. 

Into the Wild é o 23º álbum do Uriah e mantém vivo esse sabor de metal dos anos 70.Ouvi-lo 3 vezes e minha percepção é que é um álbum bonito, mas não espetacular.E os meus critérios para ter essa percepção são a comparação de sua discografia passada. Não que eu esperava um álbum com 12 hits massivos, mas Uriah é uma banda que tem muito mais elementos para atender as nossas expectativas. 

E realmente eles atendem em canções como "I’m Ready", "Believe", "Southern Star" e "Into the Wild". "I'm Ready" é uma canção bem estruturada, com um refrão matador, e é provavelmente a melhor música na minha opinião. "Believe" é uma balada com uma mensagem positiva, que tem um sabor de música pop, mas muito boa  de ouvir. "Southern Star" tem o conhecido backing vocals do Uriah e um agradável riff de guitarra somado a um dedilhado de base. "Into the Wild" é uma canção de ritmo rápido, com um refrão épico que me lembrou “Gipsy”, que é minha canção favorita deles. Um fato curioso, enquanto eu estava ouvindo é que mais de uma vez a voz de Bernie Shaw me lembrou Ian Gillan. Não o tempo todo, mas eles têm um tom semelhante. 

Bottom line: o trabalho do Uriah Heep em Into the Wild foi bem sucedido e vale à pena ouvir o álbum.

Hail to Heavy Crew,
Stein